President congratulates four qualifiers for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
Ireland, Canada, Netherlands and Kenya now prepare to make waves at the big event David Morgan: “Another in a long line of great Associate and Affiliate cricket events” Free-to-use photos available from the final while video clips on event website and highlight packages on SNTV andhttp://www.nuview.tv
ICC President David Morgan has sent his congratulations to the four teams that made it through to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at the qualifying tournament, which concluded on Sunday in South Africa.
Ireland won the event after beating Canada by nine wickets in the final at Centurion while the Netherlands and Kenya will join those two at the big event in two years’ time.
“I want to congratulate those four teams for their wonderful achievement and I look forward to seeing them take on the very best sides at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011,” said Mr Morgan.
“Ireland showed in 2007 how it is possible for the top Associate teams to spring surprises at that level and I know that having won the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier they will be out to demonstrate that the last time was not a fluke.
“Although the Irish won this tournament, the main goal the teams had beforehand was qualification and so it was also a great tournament for Canada, Kenya and the Netherlands. Success such as this doesn’t happen by accident but rather through a combination of natural ability, hard work, passion for the game and dedication to the cause. I wish them every success as they embark on an exciting road preparing for 2011,” he said.
As well as the top four qualifying for the ICC Cricket World Cup, the top six have now earned One-Day International (ODI) status for the next four years at least. Those six automatically qualify for the ICC Intercontinental Cup and also the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier which takes place towards the end of this year.
“Although I know that defending champion Scotland will be bitterly disappointed with how it performed in South Africa in not qualifying, it does have the consolation of retaining its ODI status for another four years. That will be crucial for the continued development of cricket in Scotland.
“Perhaps the great success story of this event was through the exploits of the Afghanistan players and for them to win ODI status is a remarkable achievement for one of the ICC’s newer members. I look forward to watching how the game can develop in Afghanistan and, as with all our Associate and Affiliate teams, the ICC will be doing everything possible to make sure the game is brought forward in that part of the world.
“I think it’s vital that I thank Cricket South Africa as well as the individual grounds and clubs that we used during this event. The facilities were first class and, as always, the teams, officials, media and members of the public got a warm South African welcome wherever they went.
“Congratulations to the ICC staff working at the event for helping to make sure it was a success and I also want to acknowledge the work of the media, who attended the event. Associate cricket around the world deserves the great coverage that these dedicated journalists provide and we at the ICC recognise and appreciate their hard work.
“This has been another in a long line of great Associate and Affiliate cricket events and through the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League and the ICC Development Programme in general the ICC is underlining its commitment to growing the game beyond its traditional boundaries,” said Mr Morgan.
For full scorecards and more details go to http://iccworldcupqualifier.yahoo.net/.